Three flights, two continents and countless tired legs later, the Alas Pilipinas Girls are running on excitement, not exhaustion, as they close in on the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship in Chile.

Xyz Ellen Rayco and Princess Khaira Manzano of National University, Taj Arkhea Teves and Megan Yesha Hernandez of the University of Santo Tomas, Resty Jane Olaguir of Ateneo and the rest of the Philippine squad remained upbeat as they boarded their third flight of the trip Tuesday, traveling from Sydney to Santiago ahead of the tournament set for August 6 to 16 in Santiago, San Felipe and Los Andes.

Hernandez, Olaguir Turn Grueling Travel Into Team Bonding

Hernandez has doubled as team skipper off the court, gathering documents, picking up snacks and helping coaches keep the group organized during the long haul. Despite the demanding travel, she said the exhaustion is worth every bit of the experience ahead.

“Kahit sobra na yung pagod, mayroong kakalabasan na maganda. Kahit pagod na pagod, sulit pa rin yun kasi malaki naman po yung makukuha naming blessings,” Hernandez said.

“Mahaba yung byahe pero mas nabubuo yung team, mas nakakapag-bonding po,” she added.

Olaguir, who along with Hernandez helped Alas Pilipinas Girls place fifth in the Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship to earn this world championship berth, echoed that sentiment, framing the fatigue as fuel rather than a burden.

“Excited about playing, and yung experience na makukuha and madadala namin for our team and schools,” Olaguir said. “Pagod kasi ang haba ng byahe, pero mas mataas pa rin po ang percentage ng excitement kasi may maga-gain kami dun.”

The young setter added that the squad draws strength from one another during the long journey. “Kasi po if like low-batt, or bored ka na, nakakausap mo yung teammates mo, nag-ga-gain yung connection namin,” she said.

Philippines Eyes World Ranking Climb in Tough Pool B

The Philippines, backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission and Asics, will compete in Pool B against top-ranked China, Mexico, Peru, Tunisia and Venezuela, one of the toughest groupings in the tournament.

The team is coming off a rise to No. 25 in the world rankings following a standout run in Amman last November, where the Philippines pulled off wins over Iran, Hong Kong and Japan. Olaguir said the squad is determined to build on that momentum in Chile.

“Gagawin namin ang best namin para maitaas po yung place natin sa FIVB world rankings,” she said.

Alas Pilipinas U17 also features Sharina Rhyza Lleses of King’s Montessori School, Cristina Madela Gale of Bacolod Tay Tung, Caera Celis of St. John’s Institute Bacolod City, Jhenica Sadia of Ateneo, Nadeth Faye Herbon of Leyte National High School and Jello Andrea Mauricio of San Felipe Neri Catholic School. Jhaynna Love Bulandres, Irish May Mahinay and Frances Dianne Ramos of NU round out the roster.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Pool A groups host nation Chile with Czechia, Egypt, Thailand, Turkiye and the United States. World No. 2 Japan headlines Pool C alongside Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Spain and Poland, while third-ranked Italy leads Pool D against Korea, Algeria, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Chinese Taipei.

For the Alas Pilipinas Girls, the marathon journey to Chile is shaping up to be as much a bonding experience as a physical test, one they hope pays off with a deep run, and a higher world ranking, once the games begin.